Shloka 35
कर्कोटक-उपदेशः
Karkoṭaka’s Counsel and Nala’s Concealment
दमयन्त्यपि त॑ दुष्टमुपल भ्य पतिव्रता । तीव्ररोषसमाविष्टा प्रजज्वालेव मन्युना,पतिव्रता दमयन्ती भी उसकी दुष्टताको समझकर तीव्र क्रोधके वशीभूत हो मानो रोषाग्निसे प्रजवलित हो उठी
damayanty api taṁ duṣṭam upalabhya pativratā | tīvraroṣasamāviṣṭā prajajvāleva manyunā ||
Si Damayantī—matatag sa panatang wagas sa asawa—ay nakilala ang kasamaan niya; sinaklot ng matinding poot, siya’y nag-alab na wari’y sinindihan ng apoy ng galit.
ब॒हृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse suggests that devotion and loyalty (pativratā-dharma) are compatible with moral clarity: when wrongdoing is recognized, strong indignation can arise as a force that protects dharma rather than contradicting it.
Damayantī perceives the man’s wicked conduct and, though renowned for her steadfast wifely vow, becomes overwhelmed by intense anger—described poetically as blazing like fire.